Consumer access systems and methods for providing same

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and methods for providing enhanced consumer access to information sources and controllable entities. An Access device can be a stand alone device such as a DVD player in which the DVD disk contains the back-end information network. Other Access devices obtain the back-end information network from remote sources. By way of a specific example, the consumer can then view a game and interactively select every television camera located at the game venue.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a Continuation application of Ser. No. 15/615,165filed Jun. 6, 2017, which is a Continuation application of Ser. No.15/175,323, filed Jun. 7, 2016, which is a Continuation application ofSer. No. 14/182,483, filed Feb. 18, 2014, which is a Continuationapplication of Ser. No. 13/251,272, filed Oct. 2, 2011, which is aContinuation application of Ser. No. 11/611,689, filed Dec. 15, 2006,which is a Continuation application of Ser. No. 09/729,904, filed Dec.4, 2000, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/168,822 filed Dec. 3, 1999, and incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Various embodiments of the invention relate to apparatus and methods forproviding enhanced consumer access to information sources andcontrollable entities. Further, various embodiments of the inventionrelate to real-time asset, business logic and consumer integrationsystems and more particularly to systems and methods for providing veryenhanced worldwide real-time availability of consumer access to andhandling of asset and business logic offerings, independent of existingor future asset types, access device types and infrastructures in use.

SUMMARY

Typically entertainment Offerings to Consumers are restricted in suchimportant aspects as availability, personalization and interactivity,rendering the Offerings limited in their attractiveness andeffectiveness as far as the main intention of the Offering Provider isconcerned, that of creating Consumer business, return on investment andmaximizing the Assets' profitability. For example a typical professionalfootball, baseball, hockey or similar sports event is played in a largestadium having a plurality of television cameras following the game fromdifferent positions. At the broadcast studio, a television directordetermines which camera signal is actually broadcast. As a result, theConsumer watching the game on his or her television set sees only theimage of the camera selected by the television director for broadcastingover the television network. In addition, the Consumer can access theprogram only if he or she is in a location covered by this broadcastingtelevision network, and only if he or she is using a compatible AccessDevice such as a television set, which is integrated in the appropriateAccess Device Infrastructure, i.e. hooked up to a correctly installedSet-top Box with the respective channel enabled.

In various embodiments of this invention, however, the Asset Provider isable to provide the Consumer with personalized, fully accessible andunrestricted interactive Asset Offerings, independent of the existing orfuture type or location of the Asset, the type or location of the AccessDevice and the various infrastructures in use. The television signalsfrom installed video cameras are transmitted simultaneously over theinternet as well as the standard terrestrial, cable and satellitetelevision network. The Consumer can view this same game on his hometelevision set, on an internet connected personal computer (PC) or acellular phone anywhere in the world. On the used Access Device's screenhe views the outputs of all of these cameras on a plurality of smallMonitor Windows and one larger OnScreen Window. Whichever of the camerasis shown on the larger OnScreen Window is entirely at the discretion andinteractive selection of the Consumer. As a result, each Consumerbecomes in effect his or her own director creating an extraordinarilyenhanced ability to view an athletic game. In various embodiments theConsumer Access System identifies the Consumer himself, regardless ofthe Access Device in use, and personalizes all services automatically.Therefore all channels and services that are enabled by the AssetProvider for access by the identified Consumer are available everywhereon any Access Device. A detailed Consumer profile can be created, sothat Asset Offerings such as Sport events, product offers oradvertisements are targeted on the Consumer's very personal interestsand any purchases can be directly executed.

As the Consumer Access System is able to handle any Asset type anywhere,it also can span over different Enterprises, combining different AssetOfferings and handling all inherent business logics. In the example theConsumer would receive a product advertisement along with the broadcastof the game, exactly matching his personal interests. With few simplesteps the Consumer buys the product, while the generated revenue isautomatically shared between many entities such as the Provider of thegame, the Provider of the advertisement, the Provider of the product andthe Provider of the store.

Similarly, consider a musical, operatic or stage presentation. Asbroadcast today, the television Consumer observes the video output ofthe camera selected by the television Provider although such televisedcultural events are normally televised in venues having a plurality ofcameras trained on the stage from different viewing angles and viewingperspective, e.g., wide angle, normal, or telephoto shots. TypicallyPay-per-view set-ups do not allow any access what-so-ever for undecidedConsumers to view the Pay-per-View Offering, keeping a majority awayfrom attending, rendering these Consumers unavailable for furtherproduct Offerings and reducing the possible Pay-per-view revenues.Various embodiments of the present invention enable the Consumer on theAccess Device of his choice from all over the world to simultaneouslysee the outputs of all of these video cameras, again providing anoutstanding improved viewing access to a cultural event. As the AssetProvider is in full control of his Offerings, he can further improve therevenues of this event by giving free access to some of the more distantcameras and Pay-per-view access at lower fees for “first-row-class”cameras giving the Consumer more choices at lower prices. The overallaudience increases, revenues from Pay-per-view are maximized andconsequently the success of the personalized product Offerings reachesnew dimensions.

Various embodiments enable the integration of any types of existing andfuture Assets, Access Devices and infrastructures in use. They empowerthe Asset Owner to streamline his processes, to create improved and newservices and Offerings, to partner up with other Asset Owners andProviders, while facilitating all Assets, already installed LegacySystems, Access Devices and infrastructures. The example above works inparallel with the conventional television broadcast equipment, andtypically requires no additional cameras. Rather the system uses aparallel feed from each of the already installed cameras. The use andfunction of television broadcast cameras and Broadcast or Deliveryinfrastructure are in no way compromised or degraded—the installedcameras broadcast signals over their usual links without any changewhile a parallel feed from each camera is typically connected via adirect or conventional local area network as part of the system ofvarious embodiments of this invention. Also the described ElectronicCommerce works on top of the installed Legacy Systems, spanning multipleEnterprises and accessing the existing applications in order to initiateauthentications, shipments, invoices, inventory and production updates,all the way through the supply chain and back to the customerrelationship management applications.

Various embodiments provide an interactive Front-end Human Interface(FHI). In some embodiments, software for this User Interface can belocated either or entirely (1) on the Consumer's Access Device or (2) onthe Back-end Information Network of the system and is dynamically (1)updated or (2) loaded into the Consumer's Access Device anytime theConsumer opens his or her Access Device to the Start Site of the AssetProvider's Offerings empowered by various embodiments of this invention.In various embodiments, the Back-end Information Network is AccessDevice Adaptable, supporting any kind of connected Access Device withoutany restrictions as of i.e. hardware platforms or operating systems, anddynamically assembles the Front-end Human Interface to the Consumerspreferences and the specifications of the Access Device in use,including the dynamic Localization of the interface itself. For example,a Japanese Consumer using his cellular phone is automatically providedwith the Front-end Human Interface optimized for the Screen size of hiscellular phone in the Japanese localized version of the interface, whilean Egyptian Consumer connecting with a television set (TV) to the sameAsset Offering receives a Front-end Human Interface for the bigger TVscreen size in the Egyptian localized version—even though the AssetProvider designed only one interface and provided it only in the Britishlocalized version. The Front-end Human Interface can also span acrossmultiple Access Devices, creating for the Consumer one single VirtualAccess Environment. The Consumer can freely layout the Front-end HumanInterface across all Screens of the assimilated Access Devices—aConsumer watching a football game, chooses a camera angle on his PocketPC and directs the video output to be displayed in full screen on histelevision set (TV). Being attracted by a product sales Offeringdisplayed on the TV and simultaneously provided with a correspondingprompt on his Pocket PC, he responds to it on his Pocket PC,automatically directing his Personal Computers' Front-end HumanInterface to the online store and purchasing the product on his PersonalComputer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates the video display provided to the Access Device suchas a Personal Computer;

FIGS. 1B, 1C and 1D illustrate the automatic Localization functionalityof various embodiments of the invention, with examples for British,Egyptian and Japanese Localizations;

FIGS. 1E and 1F illustrate the customizability of the Front-end HumanInterface's Screen Layout depicting several arrangements,

FIGS. 1G, 1H and 1J illustrate the capability of various embodiments ofthe invention to allow simultaneously access to various Asset types,

FIGS. 1H and 1J also show the use of the Front-end Human Interface todisplay any combination of its Window types (2 OnScreen+6 Monitors, 1OnScreen+5 Monitors+1 Companion, . . . )

FIGS. 1K, 1L, 1M, and 1N illustrate the capability of variousembodiments of the invention to allow to support various Access Devicetypes, depicting Screen Layouts for Palm Pilot IIIc, Pocket PC, EricssonR380 and Nokia 9210 Communicator cellular phones,

FIGS. 1P, 1R and 1S illustrate the unique Virtual Access Environmentcapability of various embodiments of the invention, whereas theFront-end Human Interface can simultaneously span over multiple AccessDevices, allowing the Consumer to easily control and combine thefunctionalities of the different Access Device types;

FIG. 1P shows the set up for choosing on a cellular phone the cameraangles displayed on a Television set, while simultaneously programming aVideo Cassette Recorder from the Television set and receiving detailedCoca Cola product information on the cellular phone along with therespective advertisement on the Television set,

FIG. 1R shows the set up for choosing on a Palm Pilot the camera anglesdisplayed on a Personal Computer, while simultaneously accessing a VideoCassette Recorder from the Personal Computer,

FIG. 1S shows the set up for choosing on a Pocket PC the camera anglesdisplayed on a Personal Computer as well as on the Pocket PC, whilesimultaneously accessing a Video Cassette Recorder from the PersonalComputer;

FIG. 2A shows an overview block diagram of a typical Consumer AccessSystems,

FIG. 2B is a simplified schematic diagram that shows an Access AssetSystem for Video Broadcasting over the Internet in accordance withvarious embodiments,

FIG. 2C gives an abstract overview of Asset and Access Device typeshandled by the Back-end Information Network,

FIG. 2D illustrates the general overview of Our World Live's ConsumerAccess System depicting the cooperation of the relevant parts,

FIG. 2E shows a schematic illustration of the structure of the Front-endHuman Interface,

FIG. 2F illustrates the general overview of the Virtual AccessEnvironment feature of Our World Live's Consumer Access System,

FIG. 2G shows a schematic illustration of the structure of the AssetAccess Interface;

FIG. 3A shows an abstracted illustration of an Asset Infrastructure;

FIG. 3B is a more detailed schematic diagram shown this manner in whichthe Asset Infrastructure encodes the video signals for several differentinternet delivery channels in various embodiments;

FIG. 3C is a more detailed schematic diagram shown this manner in whichthe Asset Infrastructure encodes a MS PowerPoint Presentation forseveral different Broadcasting or Delivery Infrastructures and Assettypes in various embodiments;

FIG. 4A shows an abstracted illustration of a Broadcasting or DeliveryInfrastructure providing streaming services such as a Streaming ServerPhalanx;

FIG. 4B illustrates a more detailed schematic diagram of a StreamingServer Phalanx, in which a plurality of streaming servers providemultiple camera video broadcasting to the World Wide Internet;

FIG. 5A is a block diagram illustrating providing a Consumer access to avariety of available Asset Offerings from Asset Providers around theworld;

FIG. 6A illustrates the manner in which the combined Asset Offerings ofseveral Asset Providers is presented in an easy to understand and easyto use way;

FIG. 7A illustrates providing the Consumer with the ability to staytuned to the Asset Offerings of multiple Asset Providers at the verysame moment, without losing track of any of them;

FIG. 8B illustrates enabling the Front-end Human Interface tosimultaneously access multiple Asset Offerings while optimally using theavailable bandwidth of the Broadcasting or Delivery Infrastructures inuse for transmitting the data;

FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram giving an overview of Access DeviceDeployment functionality in accordance with various embodiments of theinvention,

FIG. 9B illustrates how the Front-end Human Interface located on theBack-end Information Network is dynamically loaded into the Consumer'sAccess Device any time the Consumer opens it;

FIG. 9C illustrates the deployment of an Access Device, in which partsof the User Interface software reside permanently on the Access Deviceand are dynamically updated any time the Consumer opens it;

FIG. 9D illustrates how a DVD/CDROM built-in the Access Device, becomesautomatically available for navigation and control through the Front-endHuman Interface,

FIG. 9E illustrates the capability of dynamically balancing the loadbetween the Back-end Information Network and the Access Device, showsthe process of the Dynamic Load-balancing capability between theBack-end;

FIG. 9F illustrates the deployment of a disconnected Access Device, inaccordance with various embodiments, in which all needed parts areembedded on the same DVD/CD medium also containing the Asset Offerings,rendering the Access Device into a fully functional Consumer AccessSystem any time the Consumer opens it,

FIG. 9G is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary set up of astandalone Consumer Access System such as a Home and EntertainmentControl system,

FIG. 10A is an abstract schematic diagram of a typical Access Device,

FIG. 10B is an example for Access Device: Information System Devices;

FIGS. 10C and 10D are examples for Access Devices of the type: HomeEntertainment Device,

FIG. 10E is an example for Access Device of the type: Home Appliances,

FIG. 10F is an example for Access Device of the type: CommunicationSystem Device,

FIG. 10G is an example for Access Device of the type: AudioEntertainment Device,

FIG. 10H is an example for Access Device of the type: Audio and VideoEntertainment Device,

FIG. 11A is a schematic drawing of an overview of the Back-endInformation Network Infrastructure,

FIG. 11B is a schematic diagram of a single Server system for deployingthe Back-end Information Network,

FIG. 11C is a schematic diagram of a Back-end Information NetworkInfrastructure consisting of multiple server systems,

FIG. 12A illustrates OWL's fully interactive, live updated Front-endHuman Interface (FHI) provided by various embodiments of the invention,

FIG. 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, 13F, 13G, 13H, 13I, 13K and 13L depictsystem flow diagrams that illustrate the functionality of the Front-endHuman Interface shown in FIG. 12A,

FIG. 14A shows an abstract illustration of Electronic Commerce,

FIG. 14B illustrates how one embodiment of the invention deliversadvertisements Offerings to the Consumer separate but along with thechosen channels, forwarding a Consumers purchase request to an externalProduct Provider, which is taking over and finalizing the sale outsidethe Consumer Access System,

FIG. 14C illustrates an embodiment of the invention handlingtransactions of the Electronic Commerce,

FIG. 14D shows the dynamics the Back-end Information Network handles inits Dynamic Advertisement Module,

FIG. 15A is a diagram illustrating dependencies of the Front-end HumanInterface,

FIG. 16A is a block diagram illustrating the multiple displayscapability of various embodiments of the invention,

FIG. 16B depicts the assimilation of multiple access devices into theVirtual Access Environment,

FIG. 17A illustrates the FHI's ability to handle multiple AssetOfferings, from all around the world,

FIG. 18A is an illustration of the default windows provided by the FHI'sat the Consumer's Access Device such as a Personal Computer;

FIG. 19A illustrates the Companion Window of FIG. 18A;

FIG. 20A illustrates the Monitor Window of the FHI;

FIG. 21A illustrates the OnScreen Window feature of the FHI; and

FIG. 22A illustrates an expanded view of several Windows depicting thefact, that the number of Windows is only limited by the capabilities ofthe Consumer's Access Device, here the Display attached to his PersonalComputer.

DEFINITION OF TERMS AND EXPRESSIONS Our World Live's Technology inaccordance with various embodiments of this Consumer Access inventionfor providing very enhanced worldwide real-time System (CAS)availability of Consumer access to and handling of Asset and businesslogic Offerings, encompassing all existing and future kinds of assettypes, access device types and infrastructures in use. Consumer Privateor Enterprise end-user of the services offered through an installedConsumer Access System Asset Provider Deploys Our World Live's ConsumerAccess System in order to provide real-time integration of assets,services and consumers Asset In various embodiments, a variety of Assetscan be integrated and handled: Categories of possible Assets can becategorized as but are not restricted to: Cat. A. Video and/or Audioassets, live, recorded or stored such as Video Conferences, TV Channelsor Programs, Advertisements or Product Offerings, Events or Performancesor Reports or Shows, Art or Musical or Operatic or Stage PresentationsCat. B. Graphics, live, recorded or stored such as 2D and 3D objects, 2Dand 3D wireframes, 2D and 3D vector based objects, 2D and 3D graphs, 2Dand 3D live rendered Cat. C. Script, live, recorded or stored such asForms/ Tables, Text, Chat, (e)mail, Advertisement, Stock Quotes,Presentations Cat. D. Functionality, live, recorded or stored such asData Access & Control, Transactions, Purchase, Navigation, SoftwareApplications, Business Legacy Systems (such as from SAP, PeopleSoft, etc. . . ) Cat. E. Remote Device Access & Control, any Access Device canbecome an Asset to be remotely accessed and controlled; online (theAsset is connected and is directly accessed) or offline (the Asset isnot connected). If the Asset is offline, the Consumer accesses a virtualcopy of it creating cached information, which is automatically (with nofurther Consumer interaction required) executed once the Asset is onlineagain. Cat. F. Local Device Access & Control; When deployed on an AccessDevice, the Front-end Human Interface (FHI) software program can alsoenable functionalities of the resident Access Device and in this respectit can in fact make the interface or Operating System of the AccessDevice redundant. For example a Consumer can use the installed FHI toaccess and view a DVD video on his Personal Computer (PC), whether theDVD player is built-in or attached to his PC. The Front-end HumanInterface software program installed on the PC enables the Consumer tooverride the Operating System and access all the DVD functionalitiesthrough the FHI. Asset Offer, Asset One or more Assets integrated by theAsset Provider in Our Offering World Live's Consumer Access System andbecoming available for the Asset related functionalities of the system.Offering See Asset Offer, Asset Offering Asset Infrastructure Theinfrastructure that a given Asset is embedded in plus the infrastructurethat connects the Asset to the infrastructure that the Back-endInformation Network (BIN) is residing on. For example in case of adigitized movie clip, the Asset Infrastructure encompasses the server itis residing on plus the server's Broadcasting or Delivery Infrastructurethat is providing the connection to the BIN's infrastructure. AccessDevice In various embodiments, the User Interface can be deployed on anykind of connected device (stationary or mobile), including wired as wellas wirelessly connected devices, without any dependency on a specificdevice hardware platform or operating system. Categories of possibleAccess Device can be categorized as but are not restricted to: Cat. A.Information System Devices, such as Personal Computers, MainframeComputers, Workstations, Industrial Information Devices, VendingMachines, Information Terminals, Network/Internet Appliances Cat. B.Portable Information System Devices such as Notebooks, IndustrialInformation Devices, Car/Boat/ Flight Navigation & Information Systems,Personal/Pocket Navigation & Information Systems, Network/InternetAppliances Cat. C. Handheld Information System Devices such as PocketPCs, eBooks, Game-Boys, Industrial Information Devices (i.e. UPS usingWireless Data Devices), Personal Digital Assistants, Network/InternetAppliances Cat. D. Home & Entertainment Devices such as Game Consoles,Set-Top Boxes, Television Sets, Video Cassette Recorders, DVD Players,Video Cameras, Car Entertainment Centers, Network/Internet EntertainmentAppliances Cat. E. Home Appliances such as Microwaves, Stoves,Refrigerators, Ovens, Dishwashers, Coffee machines, Air Conditioning andHeating Systems, Car Heating Systems, Sprinklers, Pools, Jacuzzis,Saunas, Blinds, Lights, Alarm and Security Systems, Home ControlDevices, Network/Internet Home Appliances Cat. F. Communication SystemDevices such as Wireless/Cellular Phones, Radio Phones, Smart Phones,Landline Phones and Systems Cat. G. Audio Entertainment Devices such asMP3 Players, Home/Car/Boat/Flight Stereo Systems, CD Players AccessDevice When the Access Device connects to the Consumer Access AdaptableSystem, the system automatically identifies the specific device type,assembles dynamically the User Interface software program optimized tothe technical specifications of the Access Device and deploys it intothe device Access Device The infrastructure that a given Access Deviceis embedded Infrastructure in plus the infrastructure that connects theAccess Device to the infrastructure that the Back-end InformationNetwork (BIN) is residing on. For example in case of a Cellular Phone,the Access Device Infrastructure encompasses the cellular network it isconnected to plus the network's Broadcasting or Delivery Infrastructureproviding the connection to the BIN's infrastructure. Back-endInformation The Back-end Information Network (BIN) comprises Network(BIN) software modules and applications to provide the functionalitiesof various embodiments of Our World Live's Consumer Access System.Back-end Information The Infrastructure that the Back-end InformationNetwork Network Infrastructure (BIN) is residing on. The BIN istypically distributed over one or more clusters of servers, but can alsobe deployed on a single server system. The server operating systems canbe, but are not restricted to, UNIX, LINUX, JAVA, Microsoft Windows NTor Apple Mac OS X Server. Alternatively it can even be embedded (1) in asingle Access Device such as a DVD jukebox allowing the Consumer tocontrol the device and use all functionalities as provided through theFront-end Human Interface or (2) in a part of an Asset Infrastructureitself such as on a Video DVD, rendering any DVD Access Device such as aDVD player, Game-Console or Personal Computer, into a completestandalone Consumer Access System, allowing the Consumer to access anddisplay the contained entertainment Offerings through the Front-endHuman Interface with all BIN functionalities, such as onlineadvertisement enabled. Broadcasting or Delivery Any kind of existing orfuture broadcasting or delivery Infrastructure technology in use for thetransmission of data that can be categorized as but is not restricted toCat. A. Internet networks, such as the Word Wide Web and TCP/IP basednetworks, both wired and wireless. Cat. B. Communication andtelecommunication networks, such as Satellite, Cable and Radio basednetworks. Cat. C. Network services, such as RTP or RTSP streaming or asprovided by internet service providers such as Akamai and iBeam. Cat. D.Internal data-buses, such as system buses in Personal Computers enablingthe internal data transfers. Cat. E. Asset Infrastructures Cat. F.Access Device Infrastructures Cat. G. Back-end Information NetworkInfrastructures BootLink The Consumer activating the simple BootLinksoftware starts the Access Device deployment process in order to gainaccess to the Our World Live's Consumer Access System and is typicallyspecific to the infrastructures it is installed on, such as an URL forallowing the Consumer to enter the Consumer Access System over the WorldWide Web. Front-end Human The User Interface (UI) to Our World Live'sConsumer Interface (FHI) Access System technology enables AssetProviders to provide and control their Asset Offerings and the Consumerto access them. In various embodiments of the invention, software isobject oriented and dynamically assembled to support the specificationsof various Access Device and Asset Offerings. In various embodiments,the Front-end Human Interface is automatically deployed both as agraphical user interface as well as a user interface without graphics,based on settings of, for example, the Access Device capabilities or theConsumer preferences. Asset Access Interface Enables Asset Provider toconnect their Assets to the Consumer Access System. Object StorageStores Front-end Human Interface Cores (FHIC), Asset DeviceFunctionality Objects, Asset Functionality Objects and Back-endInformation Network Functionality Objects of the Front-end HumanInterface (FHI). Front-end Human Comprises common interface softwareobjects, becomes Interface Core (FHIC) dynamically part of a givenFront-end Human Interface and is used for the deployment of a fullyfunctional Front-end Human Interface. It can also advantageously includepart of or all of the software specific to a single Access Devicehardware, platform or operating system. Back-end Information Softwareobject, residing in the Object Storage, becomes Network Functionalitydynamically part of a given Front-end Human Interface and Object enablesBack-end Information Network functionalities Asset FunctionalitySoftware object, residing in the Object Storage, becomes Objectdynamically part of a given Front-end Human Interface and enables AssetDevice specific functionalities to the Back-end Information Network suchas control functions of a specific Video Cassette Recorder. AccessDevice Software object, residing in the Object Storage, becomesFunctionality Objects dynamically part of a given Front-end HumanInterface and enables specific functionalities of a given Access Deviceto the Back-end Information Network and therefore making thosefunctionalities accessible using the Front-end Human Interface, deployedon this Access Device. User Interface The Front-end Human Interfacesoftware program is the User Interface to Our World Live's ConsumerAccess System technology, and is deployed both as a graphical userinterface as well as User Interface without graphics. OWLed Asset AnOWLed Asset is the Offering of a single Asset such as a single event,for example the transmissions from a football game, using Our WorldLive's Consumer Access System technologies. In contrast to a typicaltelevision broadcast, where the Consumer only can see one picture, whichis live mixed out of the available cameras, an OWLed Asset transmits theoutput of all available cameras in the station to the Consumer. WindowThe basic component of the Front-end Human Interface being displayed onthe Consumer's Access Devices' Screen, enabling the Consumer to interactwith the Consumer Access System. Companion Window Window-type of theFront-end Human Interface software application. The main Window fornavigation and control of one or more Asset Offerings of one or moreAsset Providers, such as displaying a map of a single OWLed footballevent showing all available camera angles for navigation and control.OnScreen Window Window-type of the Front-end Human Interface softwareapplication. The main Window for accessing a single OWLed Asset in theHighest available Detail, such as displaying video in highest availableresolution and quality. High Detail (HD) The highest level of detailthat Asset Offerings are provided in, typically displayed in OnScreenWindows, such as videos displayed in the highest available resolution.Low Detail (LD) A low level of detail that Asset Offerings are providedin, typically displayed in Monitor Windows, such as videos displayed inlow resolution. Monitor Window Window-type of the Front-end HumanInterface software application. Multiple Monitor Windows for displayingseveral Assets with less detailed information, such as multiple videosin low resolution. Display The part of a given Access Device hardwarededicated to display information. For displaying its information theFront-end Human Interface is able to use an unlimited number of Displaysconnected to the Access Device on which it is executed. Screen The areaon a given Display, effectively available for displaying information.Screen Layout The tools Invisible Grid, Window Margins, MagneticAlignment Tool Borders and Auto Align are functionalities of theFront-end Human Interface and support the Consumer in arranging theWindows and “cleaning up” his or her Screen. The tools not only work onone Screen but across all Screens connected to a single Access Deviceand also across all Access Devices, which are part of one Virtual AccessEnvironment. Invisible Grid A functionality of the Front-end HumanInterface and part of the Screen layout Alignment Tool. Once activatedby the Consumer all windows snap into place relative to the grid, assoon as they are dragged. Window Margins A functionality of theFront-end Human Interface and part of the Screen Layout Alignment Tool.Once activated by the Consumer all windows snap into places withselected margins to each other, as soon as they are dragged. MagneticBorders A functionality of the Front-end Human Interface and part of theScreen Layout Alignment Tool. Once activated by the Consumer all windowssnap into place relative to each other, as soon as they are dragged.Auto Align A functionality of the Front-end Human Interface and part ofthe Screen Layout alignment Tool. Once activated by the Consumer allwindows are resized and/or moved according to the Consumer'spreferences. Legacy System All information resources currently existingin an Enterprise such as mainframe and personal computers, informationterminals, networks, databases, operating systems, application programsand all other forms of hardware and software that an Enterprise uses toperform its operations. Enterprise A private or public entity such as agovernment, corporation, religious entity, home or individual that canenable access to its Assets through OWL's Consumer Access System,Virtual Access The Front-end Human Interface can span across multipleEnvironment (VAE) Access Devices, creating for the Consumer one singleVirtual Access Environment in which the Consumer can freely layout theparts of the Front-end Human Interface across all Screens of theassimilated Access Devices. Real-time Display All information displayedto the Consumer through the Front-end Human Interface is dynamicallyprovided by the Back-end Information Network (BIN). The actions neededto update all information are automatically executed by the BIN,whenever possible prior to a Consumer's request. Consumer actions in theFHI are executed by the BIN, which provides immediate input response tothe Consumer, concurrent updates of the action's progress and finallythe result. Asset Availability The Back-end Information Network (BIN)dynamically Information generates, updates and provides the Consumer inreal-time with instant information regarding a specific Asset beingavailable to the Consumer or not. The BIN is able to handle a variety ofrules and definitions that can cause an Asset to be available or becomeunavailable to the Consumer which can be categorized as but are notrestricted to: Cat. A. Asset is available for Access Cat. B. Asset isgenerally not available for Access, because (1) the Asset is switchedoff or offline, not active or connected, (2) the Asset is deactivated inthe BIN, as no active service is provided, (3) one of theInfrastructures in use does not support access to the Asset Cat. C.Asset is specifically not available to the requesting Consumer, because(1) one of the Infrastructures in use has exceeded its limitations andcan temporarily not support the Consumer's request, i.e. the maximumnumber of streaming server licenses is exceeded, (2) the Asset Providerdoes not deploy the needed Asset Type support for the Front-end HumanInterface (FHI) specific to the Access Device in use, (3) the requestedAsset and the Consumer's Access Device in use are not compatible, forexample the Consumer's device is only capable of audio and the requestedAsset provides video only, (4) the Asset is blocked to the requestingConsumer in the BIN and requires further Consumer action, for examplePay-per-view, deactivate Parental Guidance, set preferences to allowautomatic connection, authenticate Consumer, (5) the Asset is blocked tothe requesting Consumer in the BIN because of restrictions such asregion codes, copyrights, export restrictions, legal or politicalreasons . Asset Status Information The Back-end Information Network(BIN) dynamically generates, updates and provides the Consumer inreal-time with instant information detailing a specific Asset'savailability. The provided Status Information can be categorized as butis not restricted to: Cat. A. Available Asset options related to theConsumer's current Access Device in use, such as available videoresolution qualities and accessible video Broadcasting or Deliveryinfrastructures. Cat. B. Available Asset options related to all AccessDevices of the specific Consumer, which are known to the BIN and are (1)currently active part of the Consumer's current Virtual AccessEnvironment, (2) currently active as Assets or (3) currentlyinactive/not available to the BIN Cat. C. Available Asset options forthe currently active Consumer Authentication, such as Parental Guidanceor Pay-per-view Cat. D. Next scheduled availability Cat. E. Nextexpected availability, for example based on statistical calculations onthe current Infrastructure load, the Consumer can schedule an automaticconnection once the Asset becomes available again. Cat. F.Unavailability details as determined for determining the AvailabilityInformation Asset Profiling The Back-end Information Network (BIN)dynamically Information generates, updates and provides the Consumer inreal-time with instant information detailing a specific Asset's profilein order to help the Consumer decide which Asset to choose. Thesupported Profiling Information can be based on but is not restricted toreal-time calculations of current and historic Asset access statistics,such as Consumers with similar characteristics to those of the accessingConsumer (1) set in the preferences of the Front-end Human Interface(FHI) or (2) derived from usage profiles collected by the ConsumerTracking. In an example the Consumer is about to choose between 700different broadcast TV channels. Based on his characteristic preferencefor Science Fiction the FHI highlights those channels, which are viewedby other Consumers with similar characteristics. The BIN sums up thetotal number of current Consumers matching the Consumer'scharacteristics and calculates their split among the watched TVchannels. The FHI provides this number and percentage information alongwith the TV channels. In addition the FHI allows to sort the TV channelsby the provided Profiling Information, enabling a meaningful ranking.Dynamic Front-end All objects of the Front-end Human Interface (FHI) canbe Human Interface changed in the Back-end Information Network (BIN) bythe Program Update Asset Provider at any time becoming instantlyavailable and can be dynamically updated to all FHIs in use. Dynamic FHIContent All contents to be displayed by the Front-end Human UpdateInterface (FHI) can be changed in the Back-end Information Network (BIN)by the Asset Provider at any time becoming instantly available and canbe dynamically updated to all FHIs in use. Codec, Data CodecTechnologies for electronically coding and decoding data. Within OurWorld Live's Consumer Access System. The supported Codecs can becategorized as but are not restricted to Cat. A. Audio/Video Codecs,such as Real Networks Audio and Video Codecs, Microsoft MediaTechnologies, Apple QuickTime, Digital Video, IEEE 1394, MPEG and MP3Cat. B. Data, Graphics & Text Codecs, such as PICT, CCITT, BMP, PDF,EPS, RDF, XML, SMIL, HTML, CSS, DOM Cat. C. Encryption Codecs, such asRSA, DES, Triple DES, CAST, IDEA and SSL Electronic CommerceElectronically enabled business transactions and processes. CommerceIntegration Our World Live's Consumer Access System enabling one or moreLegacy Systems of one or more Enterprises to automatically andinteractively participate in automated and collaborative ElectronicCommerce processes. Turning the Enterprises' Legacy Systems into OWL'edAssets enables combined and shared Asset Offerings of one or moreEnterprises such as automatic and secure billing, invoicing, productionplanning, inventory forecasting, money transfers and revenue splitting.Access Device Tracking Automatic monitoring and cataloguing of allAccess Device transactions, such as usage, performance and Consumerinteractions, that help build and maintain a dynamic Access Devicespecific profile. Asset Tracking Automatic monitoring and cataloguing ofall Asset transactions, such as usage, performance and Consumerinteractions, that help build and maintain a dynamic Asset specificprofile. Consumer Tracking Automatic monitoring and cataloguing of allConsumer transactions, such as accessing Assets, using Access Devicesand Interactions, that help build and maintain a dynamic Consumerspecific profile. Performance The Back-end Information Networkcontinuously measures Surveillance the performance throughout the wholeConsumer Access System and continuously surveys the overall end-to-endperformance of all active connections (Access Device performance -Access Device Infrastructure performance— BIN performance - AssetInfrastructure performance—Asset performance). Dynamic Load- TheBack-end Information Network (BIN) performs its balancing functions intruly parallel processes and thus is a fully multitasked environment.When using more than one server system or processor, in variousembodiments, the BIN automatically balances its load by spreading itstasks throughout to the available computing resources. As an example, ifthe load is increased due to high demand on the Assets, to the pointwhere the available resources reach their limits, by a simple additionof more server systems and their introduction to the system, the BINautomatically extends its processes and balances the overall load.Adjusting to the needs and capabilities of the currently usedBroadcasting or Delivery Infrastructure and the Consumers Access Device,in various embodiments the BIN also load- balances the tasks andfunctionalities requested by the Consumer. Based on end-to-endperformance measuring the BIN dynamically balances the load betweenAccess Device and its server systems. For example in case of a limitingBroadcasting or Delivery Infrastructure and or an Access Device withlimited computing power, the BIN executes more functionality itself andadvantageously delivers only the results to the Access Device of theConsumer. If the Broadcasting or Delivery Infrastructure is highlycapable and the Access Device provides higher computing resources thanavailable to the BIN, the BIN transmits more functionality to the AccessDevice, where execution performance is now higher. Localization,Automatic Various embodiments of this invention provide the UserInterface automatic Localization of the Front-end Human InterfaceLocalization based on User Interface and Country Conventions. The AssetProvider need only design one interface in one Localization and OurWorld Live's Consumer Access System automatically provides all otherLocalizations. User Interface The rules and definitions forLocalizations within Our World Conventions Live's Consumer Access Systemdescribing and containing the Script Behavior, Interface Layout andInterface Behavior for one or more countries, languages or cultures.Script Behavior The rules and definitions for Localization within OurWorld Live's Consumer Access System describing and containing thebehavior of a localized script can be categorized as but are notrestricted to Cat. A. Roman, text written from left to right Cat. B.Arabic, text written right to left Cat. B. Asian, text written top tobottom Interface Layout The rules and definitions for Localizationswithin Our World Live's Consumer Access System describing and containingthe composition of the localized Front-end Human Interface layout suchas the orientation of objects within Windows, color schemes and Windowshapes. Interface Behavior The rules and definitions for Localizationswithin Our World Live's Consumer Access System describing and containingthe behavior of a localized Front-end Human Interface such as responsesto Consumer interactions. Country Conventions The rules and definitionsfor Localizations within Our World Live's Consumer Access Systemdescribing and containing Alphabet, Language, Language Attributes suchas date, time and currency formats for one or more countries, languages,or cultures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The screen shot of FIG. 1A illustrates several features of variousembodiments of the invention. The screen display (FIG. 1A) illustrates aDisplay of the Olympic games. In the largest Screen region 1A.01, adetailed real-time “OnScreen” view of the soccer game is shown in realtime. A map showing the venue of the several games underway is shown inthe somewhat smaller Companion Window Screen region 1A.06. The Consumercan interactively select which event will be shown on the OnScreenWindow Screen region 1A.02 by moving the cursor on the Companion WindowScreen region 1A.06. In the example shown, the stadium 1A.07 has beenselected at which the game shown in region 1A.02 is being played. Alsoincluded in the screen display (FIG. 1A) are five smaller Monitor WindowScreen regions 1A.09a, 1A.09b, 1A.09c, 1A.09d and 1A.09e which show fivedifferent events occurring in real time at five different venues at thisOlympic game.

As described below, the Monitor Window Screen regions are also used toshow the same game being displayed on the larger OnScreen Window Screenregion 1A.02 from additional video cameras all typically located atdifferent locations in the same stadium.

The overall Consumer Access System of various embodiments of theinvention is shown in FIG. 2B. A plurality of video cameras 2B.01a,2B.01b and 2B.01c are typically located at venues for sports events,theater events, musical events, or the like. Although for simplicitythree cameras are shown, there can be a fewer or greater number ofcameras depending upon the facility used for broadcasting.

These cameras 2B.01a, 2B.01b and 2B.01c are advantageously the identicalcameras already being utilized for regular television broadcasting. As aresult, various embodiments of this invention can be implemented worldwide without a major investment in acquiring or installing videocameras. Rather, a parallel feed from each camera already used fortelevision broadcasting is connected to a plurality of video compressionencoders 2B.02a (labeled as Encoding Phalanx #01, 02, 03, . . . ). Byway of example, cameras 2B.01a, 2B.01b and 2B.01c are cable connected tothe encoders 2B.02 whereas a camera 2B.01d is connected by a wirelesslocal area network (LAN) 2B.03 to another video compression encoder2B.02b. Camera 2B.01d can, for example, be located at the same venue ascameras 2B.01a-2B.01c but can also be located at a different venue suchas is illustrated in the screen display of FIG. 1A.

The outputs of the encoders 2B.02a and 2B.02b are routed by a router2B.04 over a suitable communication line 2B.05 to router 2B.06 whichconnects the video signals to multiple streaming computer servers 2B.07shown in detail in FIG. 4B. In the embodiment shown, the video signalsare also supplied to a separate high bandwidth network 2B.08 such as isavailable from Akamai, Intervu or iBeam.

The individual subscriber client's Access Device is shown in the FIG. 2Bas an Access Device of the type Information System Device such as apersonal computer (PC). Shown are two different types of PC's 2B.11,2B.12 connected at 2B.10a, 2B.10b in a normal manner to the world wideweb or Internet 2B.09 by, for example, telephone lines, cable, orsatellite. These PC's 2B.11, 2B.11 are connected by the world wide web2B.09 to the streaming servers 2B.07 which as described below, containOWL's Front-end Human Interface (FHI) software.

It will be further understood that additional video cameras 2B.01 andencoders 2B.02 are advantageously located at facilities located aroundthe world so that the Consumer at the PC's 2B.11, 2B.12 can call upevents occurring in real time all over the world. Thus, each of theencoders 2B.02 is adapted for the particular television signal beingproduced by the local video camera such as High Definition Television,NTSC, PAL, etc. so the video signals are viewable over the Internet onPC's located anywhere in the world.

In various embodiments of the invention, the user client initiallyconnects to the streaming server (SS Phalanx) 2B.07 through an ISP andobtains portal Companion Window display of the content Companion on theConsumer's Access Device 2B.11 or 2B.12. Using this content Companion,the Access Device transmits pointers over the world wide Internet 2B.09to the network 2B.08 which responds to the Consumers requests andtransmits the appropriate video signals from the network 2B.08 over theworld wide Internet 33 to the Access Device 2B.11 or 2B.12.

It will be understood that another embodiment of the present inventiondoes not use a high bandwidth network 2B.08. Instead, the pointersproduced at the Access Devices 2B.11, 2B.12 would be directlytransmitted over the Internet 2B.09 to the streaming servers 2B.07 andthese servers would supply the video signals to the Consumer's AccessDevices 2B.11, 2B.12 via the Internet 2B.09.

A detailed block diagram of the encoder 2B.02 is illustrated in FIG. 3B.As shown, by way of example, encoder 2B.02a is connected to camera2B.02a. The video signal supplied by the television broadcast camera2B.01a is connected to a series of video compression encoders forsupplying video signals of varying resolution and frequency bandwidthsto the streaming servers 2B.07 of FIG. 2B via router 2B.04.

As shown, the compression encoders advantageously provide a highresolution output and a low resolution output for a plurality ofInternet delivery channels. Thus, the lowest bandwidth channel 3B.01 fora 56K modem includes a high 40K resolution channel 3B.03 and a low 4Kresolution channel 3B.02 for the video signal from camera 2B.01a.Similarly, the next higher or 128K bandwidth channel 3B.04 includes a50K high resolution channel 3B.06 and a low resolution channel 3B.05 forthe video signal from camera 2B.01a. The highest bandwidth channel 3B.07is designed to supply a 768K bandwidth channel with a high resolution450K channel 3B.09 and a low resolution 50K channel 3B.08 from camera2B.01a. Referring to FIG. 1A, depending upon the capacity of theInternet connection to the Access Device 2B.01, 2B.02, the lowresolution channel will be used to provide the Monitor Windows 2B.09a,2B.09b, 2B.09c, 2B.09d and 2B.09e and the high resolution channel willbe used to provide the OnScreen Window 1A.01. As a result, each AccessDevice, whether it has only a 56K modem or is supplied over a 768K DSLservice (or higher in the future) is able to have simultaneous viewingof a high resolution real time video in the OnScreen Window 1A.02 and aplurality of low resolution real time video in the MonitorWindows2B.09a, 2B.09b, 2B.09c, 2B.09d and 2B.09e.

Although the specific embodiments described include a single highresolution OnScreen Window, other embodiments of the invention provideone or more additional high resolution channels depending upon thebandwidth of the Broadcasting or Delivery Infrastructure in use and theeffective Screen size of the Access Device's Display. Thus, one suchembodiment provides a pair or more of side-by-side OnScreen highresolution Windows as well as plural low resolution Monitor Windows.

The manner in which a plurality of Asset Providers around the world areconnected in various embodiments of the invention to supply AccessDevices 2B.11 or 2B.12 is illustrated in the block diagram of FIG. 5.Shown are three Asset Providers 5A.01a/b/c, e.g., ABC, Fox, NBC and CBSwhich own or control the television cameras 2B.01a-d shown in FIG. 2.Some of the main features of this interface are: (1) all available videochannels are presented to the Consumers Access Devices; (2) eachConsumer can interactively select at any time any one channel as thehigh resolution “OnScreen” Window 1A.01; (3) each Consumer caninteractively select multiple channels to provide the Monitor channels1A.09a, 1A.09b, 17,1A.09c, 1A.09d and 1A.09e of FIG. 1A; and (4) thesystem delivers a channel interactive advertisement that links theConsumers request with an electronic commerce service.

The function of several of the different blocks in this system diagramsand flow charts are described below:

1A.01 is the OnScreen Window type, fully interactive, continuouslyupdated, corresponding with the other Windows 1A.01, 1A.05, 1A.08a/b,12A.07; 1A.02 is the high-detail content displayed in the OnScreenWindow (1A.01); 1A.03 indicates the area for displaying advertising ofany kind; 1A.04 indicates the Personal Video Functionalities of theOnScreen Window (1A.01). This area includes several buttons such as“Play”, “Stop” “Fast Forward”, “Rewind”, “Volume”, “Menu” and so on;1A.05 is the Companion Window type; 1A.06 depicts the content of theCompanion Window; 1A.07 is a highlighted Asset Offer in the CompanionWindow (1A.06); 1A.08 indicates the Monitor Window type; 1A.08a, b, c, .. . are the various Monitor Windows; 1A.09 is the content, displayed inthe Monitor Window; 1A.09a, b, c, . . . indicate various content that isdisplayed in the Monitor Windows; 1G.01 is an example of a Script Assettype; 1G.02 Is an example of a Data Control type for the CompanionWindow; 1G.03 is an example of the Forms type; 1G.04 is the MasterCompanion representing the link to the Companion Window type (1A.05).The Master Companion is a Companion Window itself; 1H.01 shows twoOnScreen Windows displaying different Assets: A movie (with relatedAdvertising) and a data worksheet; 1H.02 is an example of the DataWorksheet type; 1H.03 is a content example for the Companion Window(1.A.05), enabling access to a sample of Home Entertainment Devices;1H.04 is a bigger version of the Monitor Window type hosting the controlpanel for a Home Entertainment Device; 1J.01 is an example content forthe Companion Window (1A.05), showing a map with multiple cameras; 1J.02is a smaller version of the Companion Window type (1A.05); 1K.01 is theMonitor Window type for a display of a Palm Pilot IIIC; 1K.02 indicatesone solution for the Master Companion for the Palm Pilot IIIC; 1K.03shows the OnScreen Window type containing a Data Worksheet; 1L.01indicates the Companion for a Handheld Device; 1L.02 is the MonitorWindow type for a Handheld Device; 1L.03 is an OnScreen Window, showinga Data Worksheet; 1L.04 is a Monitor Window showing Real-Time StockQuote Information, including an Input Form to request specific StockQuotes; 1L.05 Shows an OnScreen Window, displayed in 90°counter-clockwise rotation; 1L.06 indicates the area for displayingadvertising of any kind on a Handheld device; 1M.01 Is a Monitor Windowto remote control an Asset: your home VCR; 1N.01 is an OnScreen Windowtype for Access Devices running the EPOC operating system, such as theEricsson R380 cellular phone or the Nokia 9210 Communicator; 1N.02 is aMonitor Window type for Access Devices running the EPOC operatingsystem; 1N.03 is a Companion Window type for Access Devices running theEPOC operating system; 1N.04 shows the area in the OnScreen Window fordisplaying advertising of any kind; 1N.05 Show various representation ofthe Monitor Window type for Access Devices running the EPOC operatingsystem; 1N.06 Is a Monitor Window to remote control an Asset: your homeVCR; 1P.01 Show the Companion Type window, depicting a map of an Olympicstadium with several cameras; 1P.02 Shows a Monitor Window typecontaining an Advertising Offer; 1P.03 Shows the OnScreen Window Type,displaying the “100 m Women's Final” camera video stream of a livesports event; 1P.04 Depicts the area for any kind of Advertising in theOnScreen Window (1P.03); 1P.05 Is a Monitor Window showing the “LongJump” camera video stream of a live sports event; 1P.06 Is a MonitorWindow showing the “Women's High Jump” camera video stream; 1R.01 Showsthe Palm Pilot IIIc Screen, containing a Master Companion and aCompanion with a map. The map shows an Olympic stadium with severalcameras; 1R.02 Shows an OnScreen Window type on a PC, containing the“100 m Women's Final” camera video stream of a live sports event; 1R.03Shows a Monitor Window type on a PC, containing the “Women's High Jump”camera video stream of a live sports event; 1S.01 Shows a CompanionWindow type on a PocketPC, containing the map of an Olympic stadium withseveral cameras; 1S.02 Shows an OnScreen Window type on a PC, containingthe “100 m Women's Final” camera video stream of a live sports event;1S.03 Shows a Monitor Window Type on a PocketPC, containing the “LongJump” camera video stream of a sports event; 1S.04 Shows a MonitorWindow type on a PC, containing the “Women's High Jump” camera videostream of a live sports event; 1Y.01 is an OnScreen Window type for aTelevision Display or a large EPOC Screen; 1Y.02 is a Monitor Windowtype for a Television Display or a large EPOC Screen; 1Y.03 is aCompanion Window type for a Television Display or a large EPOC Screen;1Y.04 is one solution for the Master Companion for a Television Displayor a large EPOC Screen; 1Z.01 is an OnScreen Window type for a CellularPhone with EPOC-OS; 1Z.02 is another version of the OnScreen Window typefor a Cellular Phone with EPOC-OS used for 16:9 format Films; 1Z.03Indicates the area for Advertising; 1Z.04 is one solution for the MasterCompanion for a Cellular Phone with EPOC-OS; 1Z.05 is a Companion Windowtype for a Cellular Phone with EPOC- OS; 1Z.06 is a Monitor Window typefor a Cellular Phone with EPOC-OS; 2A.01a-2A.01d Shows the Assets #1,#2...; 2A.02 Is the Communication Infrastructure; 2A.03 Represents theBack-end Information Network; 2A.04 is the Broadcast or DeliveryInfrastructure; 2A.05 shows the Consumer's Access Device; 2A.06 is theConsumer's Local Asset; 2B.01a-2B.01d is the sum of the video contentprovided by a single original parallel video and/or audio signal fromthe Asset Provider 5A.01b; 2B.02a/b The Encoding Phalanx; 2B.03 AWireless Transmission from LAN to LAN; 2B.04 A Router connecting to thenext network; 2B.05 A Communication Line between two routers ornetworks; 2B.06 A Router connecting to the next network; 2B.07 TheStreaming Server Phalanx; 2B.08 The Akamai Network as a worldwidedelivery network; 2B.09 The Internet; 2B.10a/b The Internet Connectionof the Access Device; 2B.11 A Computer running Mac OS as an AccessDevice; 2B.12 A Computer running Windows 98 as an Access Device;2C.01a-2C.01f Categories of Asset types known to the Back-endInformation Network; 2C.02a-2C.02f Categories of Access Devices known tothe Back-end Information Network; 2D.01 Represents the Back-endInformation Network Infrastructure; 2D.02 Represents the AssetInfrastructure; 2D.03 Represents the Access Device Infrastructure; 2E.01Represents the Access Device Operating System; 2G.01 Represents apossible Operating System of the Asset 3A.01a-3A.01f Encodingspecifications for various target types; 3B.01 Encoding Systems for theAudience with 56K bandwidth; 3B.02 Encoder Systems for Monitor #01 for56K Audience, PowerPC G3 System; 3B.03 Encoder Systems for Screen #01for 56K Audience, PowerPC G4 System; 3B.04 Encoding Systems for theAudience with 128K bandwidth; 3B.05 Encoder Systems for Monitor #01 for128K Audience, PowerPC G3 System; 3B.06 Encoder Systems for Screen #01for 128K Audience, PowerPC G4 System; 3B.07 Encoding Systems for theAudience with 768K bandwidth; 3B.08 Encoder Systems for Monitor #01 for768K Audience, PowerPC G3 System; 3B.09 Encoder Systems for Screen #01for 768K Audience, PowerPC G4 System; 3B.10 A Network Hub; 3C.01-3C.06Various target encoding specifications for different media, differentresolutions and different color capabilities; 5A.01a/b/c is the entityhaving the cameras 2A.01a/b/c/d/e/f/g/h/i (FIG. 2) andcreating/transmitting Video and/or Audio content, i.e., ABC, FOX, CBS orany other party producing video and/or audio content i.e. a stadiumhaving a Superbowl game or any other event to be broadcast ortransmitted; 5A.02 represents the compression encoders explained indetail above and shown in FIGS. 3 and 8; 5A.03 indicates that theConsumer selects the content of choice he or she wants to see in the“OnScreen” Window; 5A.04 indicates receiving the broadcasted ordelivered signal 8B.07; 5A.05 indicates that the Consumer selects thecontent of choice he or she wants to see in one of the Monitor Windows;5A.06 indicates receiving the broadcast or delivered signal 8B.08; 5A.07indicates that an advertisement is received in a predesignated separatedisplaying area within OWL's Font-end Human Interface (FHI) withoutinterfering with or inhibiting the delivery of any content. Thedisplaying method can be static (i.e. banner) or active (i.e. streamingvideo); 5A.08 indicates Consumer requests of further advertisementrelated actions, i.e. link 5A.09, by clicking on the advertisementdisplaying area; 5A.09 is the link by which the request of the Consumeris automatically and instantly passed together with other relevantinformation to a related entity 5A.13 by i.e. passing all neededinformation to the FHI (5A.11) so that it automatically connects to theProduct Provider (5A.13), logs onto the External Store Sales Software(14B.03) and creates a purchase request from the Consumer; 5A.10indicates a purchase offer caused by the addressed entity executing therespective action, i.e. transmitting the purchase offer created out ofthe purchase request over link 5A.09; 5A.11 is the Front-end HumanInterface software program, embodiments preferably in QuickTime and inJAVA; 5A.12 is the Advertising Provider. It is as well the entitycontracting for advertising space; 5A.13 Is the Product Provider wherethe advertised products can be purchased. (FIG. 14C shows theintegration of such a Product Provider's Store into the Consumer AccessSystem, FIG. 2D); 6A.01a/b Shows the Companion Windows of the AssetProviders, containing their Asset lists; 6A.02a/b/c/d/e/f indicates theAsset Selectors, each representing one Asset (2A.01a-2A.01i) of theAsset Provider represented by the Companion Window that the AssetSelectors are incorporated in, incorporating two actions 12A.05 and12A.06, fully interactive, continuously updated, corresponding with theother Windows 1A.01, 1A.05, 1A.08a/b, 12A.07; 8B.01 is the originalsignal from the single Video and/or Audio source, which can be output bya video single camera or the daily program broadcast by any channel orsource; 8B.02 is a duplicator/multiplicator device thatduplicates/multiplies the incoming video and/or audio signals, withoutany loss, so the signals can be used for two/multiple simultaneousprocesses; 8B.03 indicates that the incoming video and/or audio signalis encoded and possibly compressed to meet the high-resolutionspecifications of the respective embodiment, such as reducing pictureframe size, frame rate and quality to meet a predeterminedhigh-resolution bandwidth frequency for eventual access by the user(i.e. ISDN, ADSL, etc.); 8B.04 is the signal, encoded to be broadcast ordelivered in a predetermined high quality frequency; 8B.05 indicatesthat the incoming video and/or audio signal is encoded and possiblycompressed to meet the low-resolution specifications of the respectiveembodiment, i.e. reducing picture frame size, frame rate and quality tomeet a predetermined low quality bandwidth frequency for eventual accessby the relevant frequency user (i.e. ISDN, ADSL, etc.); 8B.06 is thesignal encoded to be broadcast or delivered in a predetermined lowresolution frequency; 8B.07 is the broadcast or delivered signal comingfrom the high resolution encoder 8B.04; 8B.08 is the broadcast ordelivered signal coming from the low resolution encoder 8B.06; 9A.01 Isthe Object Storage in the Back-end Information Network (2A.03). It holdsall FHIs, Asset Device Functionality Objects, Asset FunctionalityObjects and BIN Functionality Objects. In general, it holds allavailable objects and functionality; 9A.02 Is an Asset DeviceFunctionality Object that holds all available functionality for thiskind of Asset Device; 9A.03 Is an Asset Functionality Object that holdsall available functionality for this kind of Asset; 9A.04 Is a BIN(2A.03) Functionality Object that holds functionality to extend andleverage the BIN; 9A.05 Is the part of the BIN that assembles andprocesses the objects stored in the Object Storage (9A.01) to preparethem for delivery and usage; 9A.06 The Bootlink or Delivery Request ofthe Access Device (9A.01) to the BIN (2A.03) in order to receive the FHI(5A.11) itself or new Functionality; 9A.07 The Delivery transmission ofthe BIN (2A.03) to the FHI (5A.11), containing the assembled FHI andFunctionality; 9A.08 An Information Request from the BIN (2A.03) to theAccess Device (9A.01); 9A.09 An Information Response from the AccessDevice (9A.01) to the BIN (2A.03); 9A.10 are the Access Deviceindependent Front-end Human Interface Cores; 9A.11 Are the Access DeviceSpecific Front-end Human Interface Cores; 9B.01 The request for openingthe main application for this Access Device (9A.01), issued by theAccess Device to the BIN (2B.03); 9B.02 The delivery of the mainapplication and open command from the BIN (2B.03) to the Access Device(9A.01); 9C.01 A request for specific technical specifications from theBIN (2A.03) to the FHI (5A.11); 9C.02 The response containing therequested specifications from the FHI (5A.11) back to the BIN (2A.03);9C.03 The delivery of an Update or Functionality Objects to the FHI(5A.11); 9C.04 The updated or new Functionality Objects are incorporatedinto the FHI (5A.11); 9D.01 The local DVD/CD-ROM device; 9D.02 ADVD/CD-ROM Functionality Object, stored in the Object Storage (9A.01) ofthe BIN (2A.03); 9D.03 The FHI (5A.11) submits a request for accessingthis specific local DVD/CD-ROM device; 9D.04 The BIN (2A.03) deliversthe DVD/CD-ROM Functionality Object to the FHI (5A.11); 9D.05 TheDVD/CD-ROM Functionality Module is incorporated into the FHI (5A.11);9E.01 The BIN (2A.03) Sends a Request for Workload/Delegation to the FHI(5A.11); 9E.02 The FHI (5A.11) answers to the BIN (2A.03) with aWorkload or Delegation Response; 9E.03 The BIN (2A.03) delivers theresults of a Workload/Delegation to the FHI (5A.11); 9F.01 The OperatingSystem of a typical Game Console or Gaming Station (10D.01); 9F.02 TheRead-Only-Memory (ROM) of a typical Game Console or Gaming Station(10D.01); 9F.03 A typical Game Console's or Gaming Station's VideoDriver; 9F.04 The CPU of a typical Game Console or Gaming Station(10D.01); 9F.05 The Random-Access-Memory (RAM) of a typical Game Consoleor Gaming Station (10D.01); 9F.06 The internal DVD drive of a typicalGame Console or Gaming Station (10D.01); 9F.07 The internal System orData Bus of a typical Game Console or Gaming Station (10D.01) that isused as the Delivery Infrastructure (2A.04); 9F.08 The DVD Mediumcontaining the necessary parts of the BIN (2A.03) for this specificdevice (a typical Game Console or Gaming Station, 10D.1); 9F.09 Show theinsertion of the DVD into the DVD Drive (9F.06); 9F.10 Represents theData Delivery between the BIN (2A.03) on the DVD (9F.08) and a typicalGame Console or Gaming Station (10D.01); 10A.01 An input device for theAccess Device (9A.01); 10A.02 A network connection for the Access Device(9A.01); 10A.03 A Display device for the Access Device (9A.01); 10B.01 ADisplay device for the Access Device (9A.01); 10B.02 The Video Driver ofthe Access Device (9A.01); 10B.03 The CPU of the Access Device (9A.01);10B.04 A Runtime Environment on the Operating System of the AccessDevice (9A.01); 10B.05 The Operating System of the Access Device(9A.01); 10B.06 The Read-Only-Memory (ROM) of the Access Device (9A.01);10B.07 The Random-Access-Memory (RAM) of the Access Device (9A.01);10B.08 The Network Connection of the Access Device (9A.01); 10B.09 TheKeyboard of the Access Device (9A.01); 10C.01 Represents a Set-Top Box;10C.02 Is the Remote Control for the Set-Top Box; 10C.03 Is the CableConnection to the Cable Network; 10C.04 Represents the Television Set;10D.01 Represents a typical Game Console or Gaming Station; 10D.02 Is atypical Game Console or Gaming Station Dual-shock Controller; 10D.03 Isthe Internet Expansion Module for a typical Game Console or GamingStation; 10D.04 Is the Television Set or Display a typical Game Consoleor Gaming Station is connected to; 10E.01 Is a Refrigerator; 10E.02 Isthe Refrigerator's Touchpad; 10E.03 Represents the Modem connected tothe Refrigerator; 10E.04 Is the Refrigerator's Front Display; 10F.01 Isa Cellular Phone; 10F.02 The Cell Phone keypad; 10F.03 Is the GSMconnection of the Cell Phone; 10F.04 The Cell Phone's Display; 10G.01 Isthe Home Stereo Device; 10G.02 Is the button control bar of the HomeStereo; 10G.03 Is the communication Module of the Home Stereo to connectto the Cable Network; 10G.04 Is the Home Stereo's Display; 10H.01 Is theStand-alone CD Player; 10H.02 Are the CD Controls on the CD Player;10H.03 Is the CD Remote Control; 10H.04 Is the Communication Module ofthe CD Player to connect to the Cable Network; 10H.05 Is the Home Stereowith speakers to play sound; 11A.01 represents a Server System; 11A.02Is the Input Device of the Server System; 11A.03 Is the CommunicationInterface of the Server System; 11A.04 Is a Display Device connected tothe Server System; 11A.04 Is a Display Device connected to the ServerSystem; 11B.01 Is the Video Driver in the Server (11A.01); 11B.02 TheRead-Only-Memory (ROM) of the Server (11A.01); 11B.03 TheRandom-Access-Memory (RAM) of the Server (11A.01); 11B.04 The OperatingSystem of the Server (11A.01); 11B.05 The CPU of the Server (11A.01);11B.06 The Network Connection of the Server (11A.01); 11B.07 TheKeyboard of the Server (11A.01); 11B.08 The Display device connected tothe Server (11A.01); 12A.01 Is a selector that triggers the action ofsending the Asset displayed in this Monitor Window 2 (1A.08b) to theOnScreen Window (1A.01). This is shown in detail in FIG. 13F; 12A.02 Isa selector that triggers the action of sending the Asset displayed inthis OnScreen Window 2 (1A.01) to a Monitor Window. This is shown indetail in FIG. 13D; 12A.03 Is a selector that triggers the action ofopening the corresponding Companion to the Asset displayed in thisOnScreen Window 2 (1A.01). This is shown in detail in FIG. 13E; 12A.04Is a selector that triggers the action of opening the Master Companion.This is shown in detail in FIG. 13C. 12A.05 Is a selector that triggersthe action of sending the Asset of the corresponding Asset 1 Selector(6A.02a) to the OnScreen (1A.01); 12A.06 Is a selector that triggers theaction of sending the Asset of the corresponding Asset 1 Selector(6A.02a) to a Monitor (1A.08); 12A.07 Is the OWL Master Companion Windowthat offers the choices of the various Asset Providers 12A.08a/c;12A.08a Is a selector that triggers the action of opening the AssetProvider 1 Companion; 12A.08c Is a selector that triggers the action ofopening the Asset Provider 3 Companion; 14A.01 Represents an electroniccommerce offering, dealing with advertising and purchasing; 14A.02 Isthe Consumer; 14A.03 Is the purchase action of the Consumer thataccepted the Electronic Commerce Offering's Advertising (14A.01, 5A.07);14B.01 Is a module that processes advertising requests, assembles theadvertising and delivers it to the FHI (5A.11); 14B.02 Is an e-commercestore interface of the Product Provider (5A.13); 14B.03 Is the salessoftware of the external product store; 14C.01 Is the Sales Module ofthe Product Provider's (5A.13) Store; 14D.01 Represents the type ofContent related advertising, stored and processed in the BIN (2A.03);14D.02 Represents the type of Consumer related advertising, stored andprocessed in the BIN (2A.03); 14D.03 Represents the consumer'sadvertising preferences that are stored, used and processed in the BIN(2A.03) to derive more specific targeted advertising to the Consumer;14D.04 Represents the type of scheduled advertising, stored andprocessed in the BIN (2A.03);

The User Interface of various embodiments of the invention is theFront-end Human Interface (FHI) 2E. Its software can be located in partsor as a whole (1) on the Consumer's Access Device 2A.05, 2B.11, 2B.12 or(2) on the Back-end Information Network (BIN) 2A.03, 2B.07 of the systemand is dynamically (1) updated or (2) loaded into the Consumer's AccessDevice 2A.05, 2B.11, 2B.12 each time the Consumer connects to thesystem. The FHI is shown generally at 2E in FIGS. 5A and 9A, 9B-F. Itworks conceptually as a true extension to the Back-end InformationNetwork 2A.03 enabling the Consumer to access all the BIN'sfunctionalities using the Access Device 2A.05 and is an integral part ofthe completely object oriented and platform independent software designof various embodiments of the invention 2D, 2A-C. This provides severaladvantages. The Consumer is not required to do any manual softwareinstallation or updates, no matter what the Consumer's language is, 1B,1C, 1D, where the UI software is residing 9A-F, what type of AccessDevice 2C.02a-g, 2B.11, 2B.12 he or she is using or what kind ofinfrastructures 2D.01-04, 2A.02, 2A.04, 2B.02-10, are currently or inthe future in use. The Back-end Information Network 2A.03, 2B.07 can becontinuously upgraded so that the Consumers always have at their AccessDevice of choice 2A.05, 2B.11, 2B.12, 2C.02a-g, the latest softwarerelease and all of the latest information regarding the system 2D, 2A-C.

The block diagrams illustrating the versatile and sophisticated AccessDevice Deployment concept with the Front-end Human Interface program5A.11 are shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D and 9F.

Front-end Human Interfaces deployed onto an Access Device can bedynamically updated to support functionalities specific to the AccessDevice it is deployed on (FIG. 9D). These Access Device specificfunctionalities are actually added to those of the Back-end InformationNetwork, as conceptually all functionalities of the Front-end HumanInterface are empowered by the Back-end Information Network. Thereforeany Access Device 10A-H, 2C.02a-g can become an Asset, 2C.01a-fproviding Offerings 10A-H to the whole Consumer Access System (FIG. 9G).This also can render any Consumer into an Asset Provider enabling accessto his Offerings.

The diagram 9A shows how a given Front-end Human Interface 5A.11 isdynamically assembled during the boot process from the Front-end HumanInterface Core (FHIC), the Asset Device Functionality Objects, the AssetFunctionality Objects and the Back-end Information Network FunctionalityObjects all specific to the deployment environment in use. Thesesophisticated processes allow the Consumer to use any type of AccessDevice with either (1) no parts of the software, or (2) with some partsor (3) the entire software that is required to run the Consumer AccessSystem residing (1) on a Back-end Information Network 2A.03 as detailedin FIG. 9B, or on a (1, 2, 3) networked Access Device 10A-H as detailedin FIG. 9C or (2, 3) on a simple data storage media together with theAsset Offerings itself, such as a DVD/CD with videos 10H which oncedeployed renders even a not networked Access Device, such as a GameConsole 10D into a fully functional Consumer Access System as detailedin FIG. 9F.

FIG. 9G depicts, that once located entirely on one standalone AccessDevice 9G.06, 9F, this single Access Device 10A-E can become theBack-end Information Network 9G.06 to other Assets and Access Devices9G.01, 9G.02, 9G.03, 9G.04, 9G.05, 9G.07, 10A-H, creating its own smallConsumer Access System network. This enables Consumers to build theirown independent solutions such as extraordinary Home and Entertainmentcontrol systems (FIG. 9G, 1H.03), allowing the Consumer for example tocheck the content of the recording media in his DVD/Video Recorder9G.07, 1H.04, 1M.01 at his home in Los Angeles, USA, before he schedules1M.01, 1H.04, the recording of an internet video broadcasting as well asa program provided through his home television cable Set-top Box 9G.04,taps into some video observation cameras 9G.05 installed in his house,checks that enough food is in his refrigerator 9G.03, orders 1G.01,14A.03 more milk with his Access Device 9G.01 and doing all this whilebeing in a hotel room in Seoul, Korea, using his Nokia 9210 Communicatorcellular phone as Access Device 9G.01, 1N. Any Consumer Access System inaccordance with various aspects of this invention has no limitations inits scalability allowing any type of Consumer Asset Offering solutionsfrom single system 11A, 11B to multiple server cluster deployments 11C,for private and/or corporate use.

The structure and application of the UI is illustrated in detail inFIGS. 12A, 13A-I, 13K and 13L.

The Front-end Human Interface 5A.11 is the User Interface (UI) to OurWorld Live's Novel Consumer Access System networking technology. In oneembodiment, the UI is available as entirely written in Java, a wellknown software development environment for platform independentprogramming and supporting Asset types Apple QuickTime 1A08a, MicrosoftMedia Technologies 1A08b, RealNetworks Media Technologies 1A08c, MPEG1A08d and standard television signals 1A08e. By making all differentmultimedia formats accessible with the Front-end Human Interface theAsset Provider is free to choose, deploy and mix any existing and futuremedia platforms.

The Front-end Human Interface 5A.11 provides multiple types of Windowobjects, such as OnScreen, Companion and Monitor, each of them able tohave multiple concurrent existences or instances only limited to thecapabilities of the Access Device it is running on. For one or moreOWLed Assets one Companion Window is the parent object from which otherobjects come from (see FIG. 15A).

With increases in performance in the Access System, as well as with moreDisplay size offering either bigger or additional Displays, the Consumeris enabled to obtain increased advantage out of the Front-end HumanInterface's expandable Windows feature (illustrated in FIG. 16A).

The Front-end Human Interface can also span across multiple AccessDevices, creating for the Consumer one single Virtual Access Environment(FIG. 2F and 13K). The Consumer can freely layout the Front-end HumanInterface across all Screens of the assimilated Access Devices (FIG.16B)—the FIGS. 1P, 1R and 1S illustrate how a Consumer watching theOlympic Games, chooses a camera angle on his (1P.01) Nokia 9210 cellularphone, (1R.01) Palm Pilot or (1S.01) Pocket PC and directs the videooutput to be displayed in an bigger OnScreen Window on his (1P.03)television set or (1R.02, 1S.02) Personal Computer. Being attracted by aproduct sales Offering displayed on the television set (1P.04) andsimultaneously provided with a corresponding prompt on his cellularphone (1P.02), he responds to it on his cellular phone (1P.02),automatically directing his Personal Computers' Front-end HumanInterface to the online store (1G.01) and purchasing the product on hisPersonal Computer.

The sophisticated Electronic Commerce procedures of various embodimentsof the invention provide extended capabilities for personalizedadvertisement (14D, 1L.06, 1P.04), forwarding to external stores (14B)and optimized integration of internal stores as well as external storeLegacy Systems, and are illustrated in detail in FIGS. 14A-D.

The Front-end Human Interface in various embodiments also provides theConsumer a portal into the world of Our World Live's Consumer AccessSystem simultaneously accessing any type of Asset 2C.01a-f, 1A.08a-e,1G.01, 1G.02, 1G.03, 1G.04, 1H.02, 1H.03, 1H.04, 1J.01, 1M.01, offeredlive-video and video-on-demand contents 2C.01a, services 2C.01a-d suchas banking, travel agencies, product stores and electronic shoppingmalls, as well as Home & Entertainment Devices 1H.04, 10C, 10D, 10G,10H, 9G, 1H.03 Home Appliances 10E, 9G, 1H.03 Audio EntertainmentDevices 1G, 1H, 1J, 2C.01a-f from all over the world 1B, 1C, D with anytype of Access Device 1A, 1K-N, 1P-S, 2C.02a-g (shown in FIG. 17A).

07.B. Navigation and Control Provided by the Front-End Human Interface

FIG. 18A shows the default Windows set up of a graphical user interfaceversion of the Front-end Human Interface as it would appear for OWLedAssets on a Consumer's Access Device such as a typical Personal Computersystem with a single Display and at a Screen resolution of 1024×768pixel. Additional examples for different Screen Layout arrangements ofthe Front-end Human Interface are shown in FIGS. 22A and 1A-F.

The main guide Window for navigation and control is the Companion Window(shown in FIG. 19A). The navigation and control provides the Consumerwith an intuitive and interactive way to overview the available AssetOfferings such as video content offered within a specific OWLed Assetsuch as a sports event. Beside offering video-on-demand services bysearching and browsing databases, the Front-end Human Interface providesadvantages in presenting Asset Offerings, such as live televisedbroadcasting events, in an entirely novel manner. A plurality ofexamples of how various embodiments of the invention provide access todifferent types of Asset Offerings are shown in FIGS. 1A-S.

As described above, in an Asset Offering, such as a live televisedbroadcasting event, several cameras are positioned with differentperspectives and viewing areas so that many more details of an event canbe viewed. In traditional television broadcasts a TV-channel producesits presentation of the event by cutting live from one camera to anothertrying to keep up with the supposed focus of interest of the TelevisionConsumer, often interrupted by commercials, slow motion replays andother contents.

In contrast, in the Companion 1A.05, the Consumer gets a visualimpression as to where the cameras are located and what perspective andviewing area each one has. He or she then can activate each singlecamera and either display at a Monitor Window, e.g. 1A.08, with the makemonitor feature (FIG. 20A) or send the camera-output to the OnScreenWindow, e.g. 1A.01, (FIGS. 1A and 21A) to be displayed in the respectivescreen area.

The Monitor Windows, e.g. 1A.08, although substantially smaller in sizeand with lower resolution than the OnScreen Window 1A.01, allow theConsumer to have an overview of the event as a whole and instantly jumpto the area of his or her personal interest to watch with highresolution and quality on the OnScreen Window 1A.01. The Consumer cannot only use the navigation services in the Companion (1A.05) but he orshe also can directly redirect the camera-output from the Monitor Window(1A.08) to the OnScreen Window (1A.01) with the easy OnScreen feature ofthe Monitor Window (1A.08) or vice versa with the make monitor featureof the OnScreen Window (1A.01).

In various embodiments, the action displayed on the OnScreen Window(1A.01) from a given camera is not lost by switching to another camerafor OnScreen Window (1A.01) viewing since the former camera isimmediately transferred to a Monitor Window (1A.08).

The Monitor Windows (1A.08), OnScreen Windows (1A.01) as well as theCompanion Windows (1A.05) are resizable and freely accommodateable, sothat the Consumer can customize the displayed information according tohis needs and the abilities of the used Access Device (FIGS. 1K-N).

In addition to that, the Front-end Human Interface is not restricted toa specific number or combination of Windows. The Consumer can freelychoose the number of Monitor, On Screen or Companion Windows to bedisplayed (FIGS. 22A, 1H) and is only restricted by the abilities of theused Access Device or Devices, in case he is combining multiple AccessDevices for deploying a Virtual Access Environment (FIGS. 2F, 16B).

Another feature of the Front-end Human Interface, are the Screen LayoutAlignment Tools, which support the Consumer in arranging the Windows and“cleaning up” his or her Screen. The tools Invisible Grid 13L.11, WindowMargins 13L.13, Magnetic Borders 13L.15 and Auto Align 13L.16 aredescribed more detailed in FIG. 13L. The tools not only work on oneScreen but across all Screens connected to a single Access Device andalso across all Access Devices, which are part of one Virtual AccessEnvironment.

Various embodiments of Our World Live's Consumer Access System are basedon Open Source technologies as well as on industry standards to offer awide range of services.

Asset providers using for their offerings technologies disclosed hereincan automatically provide them to consumers worldwide using theFront-end Human Interface application. Due to the simple but powerfuluser interface, freely Consumer customizable, with unlimited OWLedEvents, unlimited Windows, unlimited Access Devices and unlimitedDisplay support, the Front-end Human Interface becomes a Consumersportal into the world (FIG. 22A).

It will be understood that another embodiment of the present inventionuses the cable or satellite delivery infrastructures to deliver contentto the Consumer's television set. This system encompasses storing theprogram content, program guide, advertising content, customer service,profiling, and billing, including functionalities currently built intothe set-top box on computer servers that become part of the Back-endInfrastructure network. The Front-end Human Interface is downloaded onstart up to the set top box, or can be resident on the set top box, toallow the viewer to access and interact with the Back-end InformationNetwork. In this embodiment the content owner, broadcaster, andnetwork/cable operators can use one unified Back-end/front-endtechnology to deliver their content over any delivery infrastructure andenhance the viewer experience.

It will be understood that another embodiment of the present inventionallows the advertisers, content owners, broadcasters, and network/cableoperators to dynamically insert profile targeted advertisements,simultaneously showing different adds to different viewers during thesame event, to track user behavior, to create, poll, track and monitorin real time.

1: A method of defining a user front-end human interface for allowing auser to access and control the presentation of assets from assetproviders using an access device, the method comprising: the userinterface being other than a dynamically loaded web page and beingdefined by computer program code that is configured to be partially orentirely located on at least one of: the access device; or a networkdevice; the user interface having a default layout selected based on theaccess device used; the front-end human interface allowing for thedisplay and user interaction with a plurality of windows including atleast two types of windows selected from the following three types:monitor windows for access to assets at a first quality level; onscreenwindows for access to assets at a second quality level higher than thefirst quality level; companion windows for providing video, audio,pictorial, textural, informational or commercial asset offerings; thefront-end human interface including user controls to enable and disableasset interaction or control 2: A user interface system in accordancewith claim 1, and configured to allow the user to transfer a digitalasset from one window type to another window type. 3: A user interfacesystem in accordance with claim 1, and configured to allow the user totransfer a digital asset from a window type on an access device to awindow type on another access device. 4: The system of claim 1, whereinsaid access device is a cellular telephone. 5: The system of claim 1,wherein said access device is a TV set top box. 6: The system of claim1, wherein said access device is a TV. 7: The system of claim 1, whereinsaid access device is a monitor. 8: The system of claim 1, wherein saidaccess device is a computer. 9: The system of claim 1, wherein saidaccess device is a game console. 10: The system of claim 1, wherein saidaccess device is portable. 11: The system of claim 1, wherein saidaccess device is an entertainment device or system. 12: The system ofclaim 1, wherein said access device is the information system of aterrestrial or aerial transport vehicle. 13: The system of claim 1,wherein said access device is a household appliance.
 14. A userinterface system in accordance with claim 1, and configured to offer afull screen presentation of a window type.
 15. A user interface systemin accordance with claim 1, distributed to include some of the windowtype son a user access device and other of the window types on anotheruser access device.
 16. A user interface system in accordance with claim15, configured to control a window type in one access device from awindow type equipped with user controls in another access device.
 17. Auser interface system in accordance with claim 1, and configured todisplay a digital asset in at least one window type on at least twodevices.